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FAA ground stop live updates: Duffy blames 'overloaded' routers; thousands of flights canceled

The DHS secretary said there were no indications of a cyberattack.

ByIvan Pereira, Ayesha Ali, Clara McMichael, Sam Sweeney, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: November 13, 2026, 9:57 PM EST

The Federal Aviation Administration ordered a rare nationwide ground stop for all airports Friday -- a more than four-hour disruption that snarled travel from coast to coast with canceled flights and stranded passengers.

At a White House news conference Friday night, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy blamed old technology that became overloaded and called on Congress to provide billions more in funding to modernize critical equipment, calling the situation an "emergency."

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told reporters there was no indication the incident stemmed from a cyberattack, but that officials were still investigating.

Thousands of flights were canceled amid the ground stop.

"I believe that it's going to take us some time to get back to capacity," Duffy said when asked how long air travelers should expect delays and cancellations to continue.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
2 hours and 50 minutes ago

Where flights are taking off amid ground stop

A small number of flights are taking off over the ocean and in Alaska and Hawaii.

Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines said in a statement that flights within Hawaii and from the West Coast to Hawaii can continue. International flights from Hawaii are also cleared. 

Hawaii's Department of Transportation said that flights between Anchorage to Oakland and Hawaii can fly.

PHOTO: FAA issues national ground stop due to "extraordinary circumstance and reasons for safety'
An airplane is parked on the tarmac after the US Federal Aviation Administration issued a national ground stop "due to extraordinary circumstances and reasons for safety" following the agency's earlier report of serious air traffic control communications issues, at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, in SeaTac, Washington, Nov. 13, 2026.
David Ryder/Reuters

San Francisco International Airport said that Pacific-bound flights are cleared to depart from the airport, including to destinations in Alaska and Hawaii.

Ontario Airport in California said that flights heading west over the ocean are allowed to take off from the airport at this time. 

Boston Logan said in a post that the FAA is permitting some transatlantic flights to depart.

-ABC News' Bonnie McClean

3 hours and 4 minutes ago

FAA ground stop issued over Air Route Traffic Control Centers

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in an X post Friday that the ground stop was "due a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers."

Planes wait on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport, New York on Nov. 13, 2026.
Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images

Air Route Traffic Control Centers are responsible for communication for all flights above 18,000 feet. There are 22 of these towers located in some of the nation's major hubs including New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta.

3 hours and 34 minutes ago

FAA says ground stop remains in effect, some flights will be allowed to depart

In an update shortly after 6 p.m. ET, the FAA said that the ground stop remains in effect.

PHOTO: FAA issues national ground stop due to 'extraordinary circumstance and reasons for safety'
View of the control tower after the US Federal Aviation Administration issued a national ground stop "due to extraordinary circumstances and reasons for safety" following the agency's earlier report of serious air traffic control communications issues, at Newark Liberty International Airport, in Newark, New Jersey, Nov. 13, 2026.
Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

"As enroute facilities recover, flights will be allowed to depart through coordination with the air traffic control system command center."

-ABC News Ayesha Ali

3 hours and 34 minutes ago

Major airlines offering waivers

Major airlines are offering travel advisories and waivers.

Delta has issued a waiver allowing passengers to change their flight at no extra cost for Friday and Saturday.

United has issued a travel alert, and told passengers, "You can reschedule your trip and we’ll waive change fees and fare differences."

PHOTO: FAA issues national ground stop due to "extraordinary circumstance and reasons for safety"
Passengers line up at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after the US Federal Aviation Administration issued a national ground stop "due to extraordinary circumstances and reasons for safety" following the agency's earlier report of serious air traffic control communications issues, in SeaTac, Washington, Nov. 13, 2026.
David Ryder/Reuters

"But, your new flight must be a United flight departing between November 12, 2026 and November 20, 2026. Tickets must be in the same cabin and between the same cities as originally booked," United added.

-ABC News Clara McMichael

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